13 May 2014

Join me this afternoon on Philadelphia's WURD 900AM at 500ET on The Nick Taliafero Show. On the menu: The National Basketball Association's decision to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling's from the league, Boko Haram's terrorist campaign in Nigeria and the St. Louis Rams' historic selection of openly gay defensive end Michael Sam in the NFL draft.

08 May 2014

First Lady Michelle Obama tweeted this image and joined the worldwide social media campaign #BringBackOurGirls. The campaign raises awareness and supports the rescue of the more than 270 Nigerian school girls abducted three weeks ago. The girls were captured by the Islamic extremist terrorist group Boko Haram. The group has waged a bloody campaign to destablize the predominately Islamic states of northern Nigeria—killing thousands of civilians and raising entire villages.

The jihadists released a chilling video earlier this week. A man claiming to be the group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, described the kidnapped girls as "slaves" and threatened to "sell them in the market, by Allah."

"Hundreds" of civilians were killed overnight in retaliation for efforts to find the captives, reports CBS.

The United States, France, Great Britain and China are lending "law enforcement experts, military advisers ... satellites, advanced tracking capabilities [and] intelligence" assets, reports CNN. "Nigerian police also announced a reward of about $310,000 for information leading to the girls' rescue."

The Nigerian government and military have failed to find the missing girls. Nigeria State Security agents did manage two well-publicized arrests on Sunday in the capital city of Abuja: The two women who lead a protest march that was critical of the government's response. The two women were arrested after meeting with First Lady Patience Jonathan, reports Human Rights Watch. Priorities, priorities ...

07 April 2014

There are promising reports from northern Nigeria. At least two men charged under the West African's nation's extreme anti-gay law—which bans same-sex relationships and membership in pro-gay organizations—have been released by Islamic judicial authorities, acording to the Associated Press.

The two were among the more than one dozen suspected gay men detained in Bauchi state in early January. Police, prosecutors, clerics and the media fueled a violent anti-gay climate across the nation after President Goodluck Jonathan secretly signed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act on January 7. The penalties are harsh and are include up to 14-years in prison.

The shariah court ... freed two men accused of gay sex and belonging to a homosexual club, saying the prosecution failed to prove its case. Five of the men have been found guilty and were sentenced to fines and public whippings in the court. [T]he judge freed a 29-year-old street vendor and a 21-year-old artisan. The Shariah trials have been held in secret since a mob tried to lynch the men at a court hearing, demanding they be stoned to death.

There are conflicting details on this story. At least seven suspected gay men were released by two Islamic courts, according to AFP.

The seven were among a dozen men formally charged by the Bauchi State Sharia Commission on 6 January with belonging to a gay club and having received funding from the United States for an apparent membership drive.

Four others were convicted on 6 March, fined 20 000 naira ($125) each and given 15 lashes with a horse whip as what the judge termed a discretionary "correctional punishment". A Christian suspect is having his case heard before a secular court.

The extreme anti-gay law bans same-sex relationships, sexual relations between persons of the same sex and membership in pro-gay organizations. The legislation also bans same sex couples from living together, bans pro-LGBT websites or groups and prosecute their friends or human rights activists. The new law is expected to be extremely "popular" and should help President Jonathan's 2015 re-election campaign, adds The Guardian.

Previous versions of the bill banned gays from meeting, living together, reading LGBT websites or even going out to dinner. The comprehensive anti-gay legislation was passed unanimously by Nigeria's House of Representatives in late May 2013. It later passed the Senate.

Same-sex acts are currently illegal in at least 38 of 54 African countries. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. South Africa is the only African nation that mandates equal marriage.

14 January 2014

"Dozens" of gay men have reportedly been arrested in northern Nigeria under an extreme anti-gay law that bans same-sex relationships and membership in pro-gay organizations, according to human rights activists quoted by the Associated Press. The arrested men face sentences of up to 14-years in prison. At least four men say they were tortured.

The arrests happened in northern Bauchi state which is predominately Muslim. The news comes one day after it was confirmed that President Goodluck Jonathan signed the bill in secret on January 7.

In Bauchi state, police entrapped four gay men and tortured them into naming others, said Dorothy Aken'Ova, executive director of Nigeria's International Center for Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights. She said the police have drawn up a list of 168 wanted gay men, of whom 38 have been arrested in recent weeks.

The chairman of Bauchi state Shariah Commission, Mustapha Baba Ilela, told the AP that 11 men have been arrested in the past two weeks and charged with belonging to a gay organization. He denied anyone had been tortured and said all 11 — 10 Muslims and a non-Muslim — signed confessions that they belonged to a gay organization but that some of them retracted the statements when they were charged by a judge.

An AIDS counsellor told The Associated Press he helped get bail for the men and also said a total of 38 were arrested. He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear he would be arrested. Aken'Ova's organization is providing legal services for them.

The legislation also bans same sex couples from living together, bans pro-LGBT websites or groups and prosecute their friends or human rights activists. The new law is expected to be extremely "popular" and should help President Jonathan's 2015 re-election campaign, adds The Guardian.

The draconian anti-gay legislation is likely to undermine Nigeria's fight against HIV/AIDS, according to UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The new legislation ... will prevent gay people in the country from accessing essential HIV services, and is likely to spur further hatred of the LGBT community, the two organisations said.

Nigeria had an estimated 3.4 million people living with HIV in 2012, the world’s second largest HIV epidemic, they said. In 2010, HIV prevalence in Nigeria was estimated at 4 percent among the general population and 17 percent among men who have sex with men, UNAIDS said.

"The provisions of the new law in Nigeria could lead to increased homophobia, discrimination, denial of HIV services and violence based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity," Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS executive director, said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Previous versions of the bill banned gays from meeting, living together, reading LGBT websites or even going out to dinner. The comprehensive anti-gay legislation was passed unanimously by Nigeria's House of Representatives in late May 2013. It later passed the Senate.

Same-sex acts are currently illegal in at least 38 of 54 African countries. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. South Africa is the only African nation that mandates equal marriage.

13 January 2014

Disturbing news from Nigeria. The president of Africa's most populous nation has defied international pressure and signed extreme anti-gay legislation that outlaws same-sex unions, "same-sex amorous relationships", public displays of same-sex relationships or homosexuality and bans pro-LGBT organizations, reports Al Jazeera.

President Goodluck Jonathan's spokesman, Reuben Abatim said on Monday that the president signed the bill because it was consistent with the attitudes of most people towards homosexuality in the west African nation. "I can confirm that the president has signed the bill into law," Abati said, without specifying a date but adding that it happened earlier this month.

Amnesty International urged Jonathan to reject the bill, calling it "discriminatory" and warning of "catastrophic" consequences for Nigeria's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Under the terms of the law, anyone who enters into a same-sex marriage or civil union can be sentenced to 14 years in prison while any such partnerships entered into abroad are deemed "void". It also warns that anyone who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations or who directly or indirectly makes a public show of a same-sex relationship will break the law. Punishment is up to 10 years in prison, it adds.

The new law is also expected to be extremely "popular" and should help President Jonathan's re-election campaign, adds The Guardian.

As in much of sub-Saharan Africa, anti-gay sentiment and persecution of homosexuals is rife in Nigeria, so the new legislation is likely to be popular. Jonathan is expected to seek re-election in 2015 but is under pressure after several dozen lawmakers and a handful of regional governors defected to the opposition in the past two months.

The legislation also bans same sex couples from living together, bans pro-LGBT websites or groups and prosecute their friends or human rights activists. Previous versions of the bill banned gays from meeting, living together, reading LGBT websites or even going out to dinner. The comprehensive anti-gay legislation was passed unanimously by Nigeria's House of Representatives in late May 2013. It later passed the Senate.

Prosecutions related to same-sex relations were generally rare in Nigeria—but there has been an increase in arrests and prosecutions since the introduction of comprehensive anti-gay legislation in parliament in 2007.

The legislature of the Katsina State reportedly also approved harsh anti-gay legislation in December. The bill approved by the Katsina State House of Assembly mandates a 14-year prison sentence for any man or woman convicted of same-sex relations. Seven youths aged 18 to 25-years-old were arrested on "suspicion of homosexuality" in neighboring Jigawa State in November.

Meanwhile: Two teenagers were arrested October 1 "on charges of homosexual activity and released on bail pending trial" in Osun State in the southwest, reports 76 Crimes. The "suspected homosexuals" are aged 18- and 19-years old and both pleaded not guilty.

Same-sex acts are currently illegal in at least 38 of 54 African countries. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. South Africa is the only African nation that mandates equal marriage.

13 December 2013

Disturbing news from far northern Nigeria. Seven youths aged 18 to 25-years-old have been arrested on "suspicion of homosexuality" in Jigawa State, reports The Punch. The arrests were announced on December 3.

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps said ... that one of the suspects divulged information that led to the arrest of the six other suspects.

[NSCDC Commandant] Alhaji Mohammad Gidado described the act of homosexuality as "barbaric, animalistic and nasty." ... The commandant advised parents to monitor the movements and whereabouts of their children to forestall their engaging in homosexuality. "Parents and teachers need to do more in guiding our youths. This kind of behavior from our future generation is bad," Gidado said. He added that the suspects would soon be charged to court.

The announcement comes one week after the legislature of the adjacent Katsina State reportedly approved harsh anti-gay legislation. The bill approved by the Katsina State House of Assembly mandates a 14-year prison sentence for any man or woman convicted of same-sex relations.

Meanwhile: Two teenagers were arrested October 1 "on charges of homosexual activity and released on bail pending trial" in Osun State in the southwest, reports 76 Crimes. The "suspected homosexuals" are aged 18- and 19-years old and both pleaded not guilty.

Sodomy is already outlawed under existing federal law in Africa's most populous nation. Twenty-four of Nigeria's 36 states punish same-sex acts with up to 14 years imprisonment. Twelve Islamic states in northern Nigeria—including Katsina and Jigawa—have introduced Sharia law that mandates the death penalty for same sex relations.

Prosecutions related to same-sex relations were generally rare in Nigeria—but there has been an increase in arrests and prosecutions since the introduction of comprehensive anti-gay legislation in parliament. The most recent bill passed unanimously by Nigeria's House of Representatives in late May 2013 "criminalizes public displays of affection between same-gender partners" and bans pro-LGBT activism. The bill also passed the Senate. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has so far not signed the bill into law.

Since 2007, the National Assembly has introduced several proposed versions of extreme anti-gay legislation. A previous version passed in 2011 by the Senate goes beyond merely banning same-sex marriage—which is already illegal—and would ban same sex relationships, ban same sex couples from living together, ban pro-LGBT websites or groups and prosecute their friends or human rights activists. These proposals have stalled under international pressure.

Same-sex acts are currently illegal in at least 38 of 54 African countries. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. South Africa is the only African nation that mandates equal marriage.

06 December 2013

The legislature of Katsina State in far northern Nigeria has reportedly approved harsh anti-gay legislation. The legislation approved on Tuesday by the Katsina State House of Assembly mandates a 14-year prison sentence for any man or woman convicted of same-sex relations, reports the Daily Post, citing the News Agency of Nigeria.

The same state law would also apply to anyone convicted of the "same-sex sexual harassment" of students, job applicants, employees, renters and others.

Meanwhile: Two teenagers were arrested October 1 "on charges of homosexual activity and released on bail pending trial" in Osun State in the southwest, reports 76 Crimes. The "suspected homosexuals" are aged 18- and 19-years old and both pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutions related to same-sex relations have generally been rare in recent years—but there has been an increase in arrests and prosecutions since the introduction of comprehensive anti-gay legislation in parliament. The bill passed unanimously by Nigeria's House of Representatives in late May 2013 "criminalizes public displays of affection between same-gender partners" and bans pro-LGBT activism. The bill has NOT been passed by both houses of parliament.

Since 2007, the National Assembly has introduced several proposed versions of extreme anti-gay legislation. A previous version passed in 2011 by the Senate goes beyond merely banning same-sex marriage—which is already illegal—and would ban same sex relationships, ban same sex couples from living together, ban pro-LGBT websites or groups and prosecute their friends or human rights activists. The bill has since stalled under international pressure.

Same-sex acts are currently illegal in at least 38 of 54 African countries. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights.

24 October 2013

A controversy has erupted in the Southern African nation of Malawi after a Muslim imam spoke out for legal protections and human rights for gays and lesbians. The speech made by Sheikh Mdala Ali Tambuli, "a respected Muslim scholar" has created "a backlash across the country’s Muslim population," reports OnIslam.

"As religious leaders, we saying nowhere in the Bible or the Qur’an is homosexuality supposed to be promoted. On the other hand, what we are saying is that people who are practicing this act are supposed to be served on three things: They are supposed to get protection, love and also we have to look after them, because they are human beings and are totally entitled to all human rights," Sheikh Tambuli said in his presentation.

"As far as Islam in concerned, homosexuality is a sin and I make no apology for that. But I’m saying that as religious leaders, we have to take care of these men who are having sex with fellow men or those who are lesbians."

Many of the leading Muslim clerics in Malawi have publicly opposed the imam's position.

"Islam doesn’t regard homosexuality as a human rights issue, we will therefore, follow the dictates of our religion to oppose any attempts to decriminalize same sex marriages in Malawi, where in the first place, it’s already illegal," [Dr. Imran Shareef] said.

In its reaction to the same, Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) said promotion of "interests of homosexuals have no place and basis in Islam." "We would like to inform the general public and other fair minded Sheikhs in Malawi that the issue of homosexuality is clearly categorized in the Qur’an as evil and sinful acts as evidently seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah during the time of Lut when such immoral practices existed," Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad, MAM’s National Chairperson said in a statement.

Islam is the second largest religion in Malawi after Christianity. About 13 percent of the country's population of 14 million are Muslim, according to the Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook. Nearly all of Malawi's Muslims adhere to Sunni Islam.

Same-sex acts are currently illegal in Malawi, as they are in at least 38 of 54 African countries. The maximum punishment is 14 years behind bars and hard labor. Malawian President Joyce Banda made international news when she promised to repeal the anti-gay laws after assuming office in May 2012. The laws have not been repealed yet but they have been suspended. Parliamentary leaders of Banda's ruling Democratic Progressive Party announced a "moratorium" on arrests and prosecutions of suspected gays and lesbians in May 2012.

Banda's move reverses the recent trend in Africa in which many LGBT persons have been increasingly singled out for prosecution. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays
or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African
nations that protect LGBT rights. South Africa is also the only
African nation to guarantee marriage equality. Kenya's parliament and
supreme court are considering decriminalizing its sodomy statute.

26 April 2013

The government of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has responded to almost two years of protests and demonstrations with "arbitrary arrests, detention and torture," according to the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies, reports the Sudan Tribune. The popular uprisings began in January 2011 as part of the "Arab Spring" that toppled governments in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Yemen.

Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services are reportedly blocking "online access to popular electronic newspapers and websites" and "confiscat[ing] printed materials"—including hundreds of copies of a pro-gay novel. Sudan is one of four African nations that boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity.

On 7 October the NISS confiscated two thousand books written by
Abdal Aziz Baraka Sakin from the 8th International Book Fair
held in Khartoum. The International Book Fair was held from 6 -
18 October 2012. Mr. Baraka is an emerging young Sudanese
writer whose work focuses on diversity in Sudanese life and culture,
particularly illuminating the daily lives of marginalised and hidden
groups in Sudan. His novel Algango Masamir Alardh discusses Sudan’s gay
community. Other work addresses the plight of street children.

On the
morning of 7 October, a large security presence was noticed at the Book
Fair. [3500] books by Mr. Baraka were confiscated later in the
day [including] 400 copies of Algango Masamir Alardh (“Nails on the Ground”), 300 copies of Maseeh Darfur (“Jesus of Darfur”), 450 copies of Memory of the Alkhandaris, 250 copies of Women from Kampo Khadis...

The International Criminal Court in The Hague has charged President Omar al-Bashir with genocide and war crimes. So far, at least 300,000 people have been killed and more than 2.5
million displaced in the civil war between the Khartoum government and
Darfur provinces.

02 January 2013

Very troubling news to report from the beautiful West African nation of Senegal. A gay couple was viciously beaten when one of the men's parents caught them having sex, according to Gay Star News. The men were later outed in Senegalese media, which has reportedly used the incident to launch another round of anti-gay hysteria in the largely Islamic nation.

The two were making love [at one of their homes in a suburb of Dakar] when his parents returned and caught them at the act on Thursday 27 December. The parents reportedly brutally attacked and beat up the two men. [He] has not been seen since the incident by his family and has reportedly fled elsewhere.

Senegalese media has reported the event replete with anti-gay hate language, describing them as ‘fags’ acting ‘against nature’, and condemning them for not hesitating to control their ‘nature’. The [Senegalese Senxibar portal] wrote that the suburb of ‘Guédiawaye is in shock’ and its inhabitants ‘incensed’. ... The portal went on to remind the readers how recently other ‘fags’ were caught in the act and punished by the law for their ‘acts against nature’.

The well-known Senegalese journalist Tamsir Jupiter Ndiaye was sentenced to four years in prison for homosexuality and battery last October. Ndiaye was arrested after getting into a fight with his male partner. "The court says that Ndiaye used a knife and stabbed his partner in the stomach. The court sentenced Ndiaye's partner to two years in prison," reports the Associated Press.

Senegal is one of at
least 38 of Africa's 54 nations that currently have laws penalizing
same-sex relations or even sexuality. Under Article 3.913 of the Senegalese penal code, "homosexual acts are
punishable by imprisonment of between one and five years" and a fine of up to $3,000. Four African nations—Mauritania,
Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays
or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African
nations that protect LGBT rights. South Africa is also the only
African nation to guarantee marriage equality.